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Martin Gardner's Table Magic: A Compendium of Extraordinary Deceptions

Corey Hayes

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Published in Martin Gardner S Table Magic (Dover Magic Books)

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Martin Gardner was a renowned American mathematician, science writer, and magician. He was best known for his long-running "Mathematical Games" column in Scientific American magazine, where he introduced readers to a wide range of mathematical topics. Gardner was also an accomplished magician, and he wrote several books on the subject, including Table Magic.

Table Magic was first published in 1954, and it has since become a classic work on magic. The book contains over 100 tricks, illusions, and puzzles, all of which can be performed with simple props that can be found around the home. Gardner's clear instructions and detailed illustrations make it easy for even beginners to learn and perform these tricks.

Martin Gardner's Table Magic (Dover Magic Books)

by Martin Gardner

4.4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1730 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Print length	:	146 pages
Lending	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported

The Tricks

The tricks in Table Magic are divided into several categories, including card tricks, coin tricks, rope tricks, and mentalism. There are tricks for all skill levels, from simple tricks that can be learned in a few minutes to complex illusions that require hours of practice.

Some of the most popular tricks in Table Magic include:

* The Ambitious Card: A card is selected by a spectator and then mysteriously rises to the top of the deck. * The Vanishing Coin: A coin is placed in a spectator's hand and then vanishes into thin air. * The Floating Ball: A ball is suspended in mid-air without any visible support. * The Mind-Reading Card Trick: A spectator thinks of a card, and the magician is able to reveal it without asking any questions.

The Illusions

In addition to tricks, Table Magic also contains several illusions, which are larger-scale deceptions that require more elaborate props and setups. Some of the illusions in the book include:

* The Floating Lady: A woman appears to levitate in mid-air. * The Sawing a Woman in Half: A woman is placed in a box and then appears to be sawed in half. * The Vanishing Cabinet: A cabinet is shown to be empty, and then a person appears inside.

The Puzzles

Table Magic also contains a number of puzzles, which are designed to challenge the reader's logical thinking skills. Some of the puzzles in the book include:

* The Tower of Hanoi: A puzzle involving moving disks from one peg to another. * The Soma Cube: A puzzle involving assembling seven pieces into a cube. * The Rubik's Cube: A puzzle involving rotating cubes to match the colors on each side.

Martin Gardner's Table Magic is a classic work on magic that has been entertaining and enlightening readers for over 50 years. This comprehensive compendium of tricks, illusions, and puzzles is a must-have for any magic enthusiast. With clear instructions and detailed illustrations, Gardner teaches the secrets behind some of the most famous magic tricks in history. From simple card tricks to complex illusions, there's something for everyone in this book.

Whether you're a beginner or an experienced magician, you're sure to find something to enjoy in Table Magic. So sit back, relax, and prepare to be amazed!

Martin Gardner's Table Magic (Dover Magic Books)

by Martin Gardner

4.4 out of 5